COLIN STEIN hopes Rangers striker Joe Dodoo can make the most of his chance to shine and step into the forward fold at Ibrox.

The former Leicester City kid scored on his debut against East Stirlingshire last month and could come into Mark Warburton’s plans for the Betfred Cup clash with Peterhead this evening.

Boss Warburton is sweating on the fitness of key man Martyn Waghorn after he was injured during the closing stages of Saturday’s Premiership opener against Hamilton.

And Barca Bear Stein knows it will be up to Dodoo to prove his worth as he looks to make his mark in Light Blue this term.

He said: “It’s a big blow to lose Waghorn. You can’t come back too quickly from a hamstring injury – it will be at least four to six weeks.

“The last thing you want as a striker is to miss out at the start of the season.

“He has obviously scored again so he was pumped up about that and then you could see how upset he was when he had to come off.

“He scored a lot of goals last year and he has already got a few this season

“It’s bad news for Rangers and they will need to find a back-up.

“I have not seen Joe Dodoo play yet but I would imagine he would come in against Peterhead.

“It would be a nice introduction for him. No disrespect to Peterhead but it would be a good game for Dodoo to come into.”

The injury to Waghorn compounded Warburton’s problems on Saturday as Rangers got their title bid off to a frustrating start on home soil.

It took a second half strike from the 26-year-old to earn a point as Accies equipped themselves well and earned a share of the spoils thanks to Ali Crawford’s first half opener.

Rangers head to Dens Park this weekend before facing Motherwell and Kilmarnock in the build-up to the first Old Firm showdown on Saturday, September 10 at Parkhead.

Stein said: “The fans were expecting a win against Hamilton but it just shows you that it’s not going to be easy for Rangers as Hamilton are not one of the top teams.

“I think you really have to win your home games especially with an Old Firm game coming up just five weeks into the season.

“You want to make sure you are going into that game in a good position points-wise, especially when it’s at Parkhead because you won’t get any harder than that.

“Celtic will be out to prove that they are a better team after the semi-final of the Scottish Cup last season when Rangers completely outplayed them.

“I think Rangers were hoping to go to Parkhead three or four points in front but I don’t think that’s going to happen now.

“So that will put a wee bit more pressure on Rangers but a lot of players thrive on pressure so we will wait and see.”